Polymer Group (PGI) has announced its Suzhou, China plant has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

The LEED Green Building Rating System is a feature-oriented rating system that awards buildings points for satisfying specified green building criteria. The six major environmental categories of review include: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation and Design.

The certification validates that the plant is among the world's greenest, most energy efficient and high-performing buildings. PGI earned the silver-level status for an expansion and installation of a new state-of-the-art, custom-designed, spunmelt line completed in 2010.

LEED certification of the Suzhou plant expansion was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community, including such features as water-efficient landscaping and low-emitting construction materials.

PGI also implemented a green education program and took steps to optimize energy performance, maximize open space, and protect or restore the habitat. The project supports PGI's broader corporate sustainability goals and the company is working to achieve the designation at other plants it is expanding globally, including its Waynesboro, Va. plant.

"At PGI, we are committed to protecting the environment and reducing energy consumption through green building construction, and we are proud to have received this recognition," said Chief Operating Officer Mike Hale.

"Achieving LEED certification demonstrates PGI's leadership in energy and environmental design and is an important part of our sustainability strategy," said John Heironimus, senior vice president, chief marketing and sustainability officer.

"Our employees, customers, suppliers and community can feel good knowing green buildings like this will have less of an environmental impact for today and future generations."

"PGI's LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership. The Suzhou project efficiently uses our natural resources and makes an immediate, positive impact on our planet, which will tremendously benefit future generations to come," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council.

LEED was established for market leaders to design and construct buildings that protect and save precious resources while also making good economic sense. It verifies environmental performance, occupant health and financial return. The Suzhou expansion project will be listed in the Green Building Certification Institute's searchable database of registered and/or certified projects in China.